National Football League

Wilfork: close to ensuring he'll retire with Pats

Published Mar. 27, 2014 8:53 p.m. ET

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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) Patriots nose tackle Vince Wilfork says he's closer to achieving his goal of finishing his career with New England.

The 10-year veteran who missed most of last season with a torn Achilles' tendon has tweeted that he looks forward to returning to football and helping his team have a chance to win a Super Bowl.

Wilfork originally had balked at the Patriots attempt to restructure his contract to lessen the salary cap hit.

He tweeted amid reports that he had agreed to restructure his contract. The Patriots usually do not announce contract restructurings.

''It's been hard to remain quiet and let things take its course but it has been the best thing to do,'' Wilfork tweeted Thursday. ''Negotiations are never easy especially when you have a 10 year history with a team and more importantly relationships. For those who have supported me I thank you, for those who have called me every name in the book I thank you too.

''My intentions have never changed,'' he wrote. ''10 years ago my goal was to retire a patriot and as I sit here typing this I am closer to achieving my goal. I look forward to getting back to football and helping my team compete and have a chance at winning a Super Bowl.''

At the bottom of the tweet was a reproduction of the top of a standard NFL Player Contract with his name and that of the New England Patriots.